Alan’s growl rumbled through the room like distant thunder. "And what exactly do you suggest? Training her? Turning her into some kind of weapon? She’s not a pawn in anyone’s game."
Elder Malcolm sighed, his weathered face creasing further. "Alpha, this isn’t about turning Amber into a weapon. It’s about helping her discover who she is and what she’s capable of before someone else does. There are those who would kill for power like hers. You know that."
Alan didn’t respond, but his jaw tightened, and his eyes burned with restrained fury. Aaron’s hand in mine was the only thing grounding me. My pulse was racing, my breath uneven.
"I don’t want to hurt anyone," I said, my voice trembling. "I don’t want any of this. I didn’t ask for some ancient prophecy or—"
Elder Beatrice interr
